Digital for Good: Helping Students Stay Safe Online

The Sound Off, a Safe and Sound Schools Podcast

In a world where technology is inescapable, it is critical that students know how to become digital first responders. In this episode of The Sound Off, Michele Gay and Kim Karr, Co-Founder of Digital4Good and the online movement #ICanHelp, explore the dangers students navigate in the digital world and how they can keep themselves and their peers safe online. Whether you’re a parent trying to understand how to teach your child responsible digital citizenship, or a school leader working to change the environment on your campus, the insights in this conversation are a must-hear for anyone committed to building safer, stronger school communities.

The discussion centers around practical advice on how to equip students to take control of their online lives, lead with de-escalation rather than punishment, and cultivate a safer culture on any campus. Michele and Kim focus on how teaching students the “why” behind responsible digital citizenship and acceptable phone use is the only way to cultivate true change – change that will lead to them prioritizing their own safety and wellness.

Below you’ll find a full episode guide complete with key takeaways, powerful quotes, and additional resources on digital citizenship, safety, and wellness. Listen to the full episode now to discover how you can empower students to keep themselves and their peers safe online.

Episode Guide

[4:00] Teaching Digital Citizenship: How Students are Impacted by Living in a Digital World

Cellphones are intertwined into students’ lives and how they experience the world, but data shows that this is detrimental to their mental health and well-being. Michele and Kim dive into why this generation struggles with digital addiction and what can be done to support a healthier relationship with technology.

“We are living in a digital world, and when you’re talking about any kind of safety plan at your school, you have to include the digital side of it.” -Kim Karr

[7:00] Crafting Effective Policy: Helping Students Make Better Decisions

Phone bans don’t work. So, how can schools impact use habits and influence change? Schools have to clearly communicate they “why” behind their phone policies so students and parents understand that it is for their benefit. Kim explains what steps schools are taking to equip students to make better decisions around phone usage and the benefits students are feeling from this work.

“Schools are being asked to help students learn when to put the phones away, and the schools who are doing it, it is working.” -Kim Karr

[11:00] Cultivating Lasting Safety: Teaching Students to be Digital First Responders

It’s impossible for school staff, or parents, to be aware of everything that is being said and done online. Training students to be digital first responders teaches them that reporting dangerous behavior online leads to a safer environment for everyone. Michele and Kim discuss how stopping harm online stops harm on campus and how to train students to advocate for themselves and their peers.

“If we can decrease online drama, you decrease on campus drama, which then decreases discipline, which then creates a safer and happier campus.” -Kim Karr

[18:00] Digital De-escalation: The Impact of Leading with Empathy

As the saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people,” and students are no different. Oftentimes harmful behavior online is the result of a student struggling in real life. Michele and Kim explore the link between students’ struggles, their desire to lash out online, and how approaching them with empathy can change that cycle, including how Kim was able to get a defamatory account that took aim at a middle school vice principal taken down in 6 hours.

“I asked ‘Are you ok?’ When I asked that, they didn’t feel attacked…instantly they deleted it.” -Kim Karr

[24:00] Building A Digital Resume: The Power of a “Like”

Liking or following an account online is giving it your endorsement. Students do not always understand that they are giving power to the things they interact with online. Michele and Kim discuss the long-lasting impact of a digital footprint and how to help students understand that their activity online can follow them into the real world.

“Social media is your resume for life. Colleges, employers, scholarships, even sporting teams look at your social media. They want to know who you are.” -Kim Karr

[28:00] Identifying Struggling Students: Seeing Bad Behavior as a Cry for Help

Disruptive and harmful behavior is often a sign of a struggling student. When safety directors identify students making trouble online, they should act quickly to provide that student with interventions. Michele and Kim discuss how these students are prime candidates for behavior assessments and additional support.

“When you’re dealing with fake accounts, if you can figure out who created them, those are the kids who need behavior assessments. Those are the kids who are struggling, who have anger issues, who are isolated.”-Kim Karr

Listen to the Full Episode

Digital safety is a vital life skill for today’s students. They have the power to be first responders online, identifying and reporting harmful behavior to trusted adults in their lives with the goal of creating a safer, more support environment for themselves and their peers. This episode of The Sound Off dives into meaningful solutions that go beyond punishing online behavior, offering a deep and thoughtful exploration of how de-escalation, behavior intervention, and teaching students the ”why” can transform student wellness and campus culture.

Listen Now

Thank you to this episode’s proud sponsor Status Solutions and the Status Solutions Network. Status Solutions provides situational awareness technology to enhance school safety and communication, while Status Solutions Network funds safety initiatives in schools through its digital advertising platform. Together, they’re dedicated to creating safer learning environments for students, staff and families.